WSIS Action Line C7 E-learning
UNESCO
Session 301
Principle to Practice: Operationalizing Open in Digital Public Learning Platforms
Description
The Charter for Public Digital Learning Platforms, jointly finalized by UNESCO, UNICEF, and ITU in 2026 following country consultations and public review, identifies openness as a key principle for advancing Digital Public Learning Platforms. This session offers an early opportunity within the WSIS community to move from that principle to practice – examining how openness can be operationalized through Open Solutions, technical specifications, and country implementation experiences.
This session will explore how the principle of openness can be translated into practice through Open Solutions, including Open Educational Resources (OER), open-source software, open data, and open access to knowledge. Bringing together perspectives from UNESCO, ITU, UNICEF, and country partners, the discussion will examine how policy frameworks, technical specifications, and implementation experiences can support open accessible, interoperable, and sustainable digital learning ecosystems.
The session will highlight practical approaches to advancing openness in learning, including the role of OER, Digital Public Goods, interoperability, accessibility, multilingualism, and collaboration among education stakeholders. Particular attention will be given to how Digital Public Learning Platforms can support equitable access to knowledge and learning opportunities for all.
Objectives
- Examine how the principle of 'Open' in the Gateways Charter for Public Digital Learning Platforms can support access to quality learning opportunities through Open Solutions, including OER, open-source software, open data, and open access to knowledge.
- Explore how technical specifications, interoperability, and Open Solutions can contribute to accessible, inclusive, and sustainable Digital Public Learning Platforms.
- Share country experiences and identify opportunities for collaboration in advancing open, learner-centred, and future-ready digital learning ecosystems.
- Explore how open standards and interoperable digital public infrastructure can enable countries to design and govern Digital Public Learning Platforms as sustainable public goods.
Zeynep Varoglu is a Senior Programme Specialist in the Universal Access to Information Section of the Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
She leads UNESCO’s Open Solutions portfolio, bringing together Open Educational Resources (OER), Open Access, Open Data, and Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) to support Member States in building open, interoperable, and publicly governed knowledge infrastructures. She provides global leadership for the implementation of the 2019 Recommendation on OER and leads initiatives supporting equitable access to scientific communications.
Ms. Varoglu holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Toronto and a Master of Education (MEd) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.
Carolina Anselmino is a digital transformation strategist with over 10 years of experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and international development.
At ITU, she works on Digital Transformation of Education under Giga – the joint ITU-UNICEF initiative to connect every school to the Internet by 2030.
Her current work focuses on supporting countries in translating school connectivity into meaningful, system-wide digital transformation in education; bridging the gap between policy principles and practical implementation.
Carolina has worked across multilingual, multicultural environments, contributing to impactful initiatives within leading international organizations. She holds degrees from the Polytechnic of Milan and IE University of Madrid, and is passionate about fostering equity, connectivity, and innovation through digital solutions.
Mark West works in UNESCO’s Education Sector in where he researches and writes about the future of education with a special focus on technology.
He develops projects and publications that help countries understand opportunities and risks for education in an age of rapid technological, social and environmental change.
Frank van Cappelle is UNICEF’s global lead for digital education and the head of the Global Learning Innovation Hub in Finland. In this role, he drives UNICEF’s vision and strategy for learning innovation and the digital transformation of education systems, working closely with governments, research institutions, and other partners to support system-level progress.
The Hub is guided by a dual mission: to harness innovations to address the global learning crisis and to shape the future of learning by moving “beyond digital as usual.”
He holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Melbourne.
Benyna leads on the delivery of curriculum at Oak Academy. She has extensive experience in educational leadership and teacher training both in the UK and internationally. A Teach First alumna and former Headteacher, she has facilitated NPQ programmes for the UCL Institute of Education and developed global training for Oxford International AQA. Alongside coaching senior leaders, she has designed school wide coaching programmes that have been featured as best practice case studies for their impact on instructional quality.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
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C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
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C11. International and regional cooperation
C7: E-learning by promoting equitable access to quality learning opportunities through Digital Public Learning Platforms, Open Educational Resources (OER), and Open Solutions.
C2: Information and Communication Infrastructure through discussion of interoperable digital public infrastructure and technical specifications supporting digital learning ecosystems.
C3: Access to Information and Knowledge by advancing open access to knowledge, open educational resources, and inclusive digital learning environments.
C8: Cultural Diversity and Identity, Linguistic Diversity and Local Content through its focus on multilingualism and locally relevant digital learning content.
C11: International and Regional Cooperation by fostering collaboration among UNESCO, UNICEF, ITU, governments, and other stakeholders to advance open and interoperable digital learning ecosystems
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
This session contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by examining how Digital Public Learning Platforms, Open Educational Resources (OER), open-source software, open data, and open access can expand equitable access to quality learning opportunities and support lifelong learning for all.
The session also supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting inclusive and accessible digital learning opportunities that can help reduce gender gaps in access to education, digital skills, and knowledge resources, particularly for women and girls.
The discussion contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by promoting interoperable digital public infrastructure, open standards, and sustainable Digital Public Learning Platforms as foundations for innovation and resilient education systems.
The session further advances SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through its focus on accessible, inclusive, multilingual, and learner-centred digital learning ecosystems that help address barriers faced by underserved and marginalized populations.
It also supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting open, transparent, and accountable approaches to the development and governance of Digital Public Learning Platforms, including the use of open standards, interoperability, and Digital Public Goods to strengthen inclusive access to information and knowledge.
Finally, the session advances SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together UNESCO, UNICEF, ITU, governments, and other stakeholders to share experiences and strengthen international cooperation in support of open, inclusive, and sustainable digital learning ecosystems.
- Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
- Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
- Objective 4: Advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches
Relevant Links
- Charter for Public Digital Learning Platforms (UNESCO–UNICEF–ITU)
https://www.unesco.org/en/digital-education/learning-platforms-gateway/charter - Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative (UNESCO–UNICEF)
https://www.unicef.org/digitaleducation/gateways-public-digital-learning - UNICEF Global Learning Innovation Hub (Finland):
https://www.unicef.org/innovation - UNESCO Open Educational Resources (OER)
https://www.unesco.org/en/open-educational-resources - UNESCO Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (2019)
https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/recommendation-open-educational-resources-oer - Giga: Connecting Every School to the Internet (UNICEF–ITU)
https://giga.global/ - ITU Giga Initiative
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Initiatives/GIGA/Pages/default.aspx
Suggested Social Media
UNESCO Education: @UNESCOeducation
UNESCO: @UNESCO
UNICEF Digital Education: @UNICEF
ITU: @ITU
Digital Public Goods Alliance: @DPGAlliance
Suggested Hashtags
#WSIS20 #WSIS #Elearning #DigitalLearning #PublicDigitalLearning #OpenEducation #OER #DigitalPublicGoods #DigitalInclusion #SDG4 #LifelongLearning